February 24, 2018: Eyeing to settle the repatriation issue of Bru-refugees staying in North Tripura, the secretary of Home Affairs, Mahesh Kr Singla today visited Naisingh Para and Asha Para under Kanchanpur in North District and discussed several issues including repatriation to Mizoram – native place of Bru Reang communities.
He was accompanied by a team of local administrative officials and officials of Mizoram. During his visit, Singla appealed to refugees to accept the Government’s package and move back to Mizoram.
Former general secretary of Bru refugees committee Elvis Chorki who had left the refugee camp and settled in Mizoram urged the fellow bru people to settle in Mizoram peacefully and not to suffer in the camp. However, Chorki’s appeal evoked strong resentment among the refugees who even tried to vandalize the Bolero car in which Chorki was travelling. However, Police intervened and brought the situation under control.
Sources said, every Bru-refugee family will get Rs 2000 per month for two years with free accommodation, water and electric facilities for two years. Educated youths will be placed into jobs as per qualifications while non-educated youths will get a chance to earn livelihood through Central Government schemes. However, Government will take measures and stop supplying rations to those who will opt out to move back to Mizoram.
Administration sources said, officials will conduct a verification drive in which real refugees will be identified for repatriation. Accordingly a list of such verified refugees will be prepared and a report will be sent to Singla for next course of action.
